Abstract: The use of a new suspending agent is
investigated. Calamine lotion, USP
contains bentonite magma as a suspending
agent. In this study, bentonite
magma was partially or completely replaced
with a new suspending agent
called tahini. Tahini is sesame paste
composed of crushed sesame seeds in
sesame oil. It is frequently used in middle
eastern food as a thickening and
suspending agent. Calamine lotion was
prepared, generally, according to the
USP method. The formula contained
40% v/v magma. Tahini was added instead
of bentonite magma by replacing
100%, 99%, 90%, 75%, 50% and
25% of the magma. The sedimentation
volume and the degree of flocculation
were calculated for the resulting
preparations. Rheological characteristics
of bentonite- and tahini-containing
lotions were also determined.
Sedimentation volume showed 0.723
and 0.851 (p=0.05) for the lotions containing
100% bentonite and 100%
tahini, respectively. The degree of
flocculation was 2.00 and 2.35 (p=0.05)
for the 100% bentonite and 100%
tahini lotions, respectively. The
rheograms of all the suspensions
showed pseudoplastic flow. Overall,
the use of tahini in calamine lotion has
improved the physical stability of the
formula.